Mdantsane rapper to record live DVD in EL
Kweriez says weekend event will incorporate dance and drama
South African Traditional Music Award (Satma) nominated rapper Kweriez will become the first Eastern Cape hip-hop artist to record a live DVD.
The rapper’s live DVD recording, Kweriez and Friends, will take place this Saturday at the Guild Theatre in East London.
The Mdantsane rapper, whose real name is Siyabulela Rasmeni, started rapping with his group Rhyme Squad in 2002. He went solo in 2010 and released his first album, Buso Basekasie.
In 2014, he released his Satma nominated album, Isxaka Mlomo which was followed by Rewind last year.
His first two albums, which he released under his label OPT Entertainment, sold more than 10 000 copies.
“Working as an independent artist is hard but push ourselves. I first published 3 000 copies and they sold like hot cakes. We had to print more copies. Then there was the second album which was also high in demand. We’ve sold a total of more 10 000 copies for both albums,” he said.
On the third album, Rasmeni has partnered with Kumkani FM.
“When we started as Rhyme Squad we had the backing of Imonti FM. The station did a lot for us and I thought of using the same strategy we used then. I approached Kumkani FM and they have been behind me from the time of recording.”
Rasmeni said the live recording will see him going down memory lane.
“Just like my current album, the live recording will be rewinding to when it all started for me. I will be doing some songs from way back in the day with Rhyme Squad. Then I will move on to music from my three albums,” Rasmeni said.
He said the live recording will incorporate dance and drama. “Most of my songs are in storytelling form and now all those stories will come to life through dance and acting. My team has been working hard to put it all together,” Rasmeni said.
He also added that the recording would give his supporters a chance to see him performing live. “A lot of people know me from songs such as Kwaito Ndiyakthanda Mfethu but have never seen my face. We don’t have our own East London TV channel that can give us much needed exposure and it’s hard to get on national TV because of payola,” he said.
The rapper said the event would also see all the artists he featured on his latest project performing with him. Some of the acts include; LushByTheWay, Sluja, Lanse, Thuli, Mr Alvin, Zagga, Laurijinal, Ma-air, Iintloko Zeenyoka, Simbone Inyange and Goga Straal.
Tickets for the event are available at the Guild Theatre and at Computicket for R100.
10 000 copies were sold from his first two albums